Don Silcock

Underwater Photography Workshop & Retreat

21-28 Feb 2025

Limited Space Remaining

The Location

  • A remote barrier island in the Solomon Islands Marovo Lagoon, Uepi boasts unrivalled underwater diversity and is a hotspot for underwater photographers from around the world.

  • With numerous excellent dive sites close to the resort it's the perfect combination of top tier dive quality and superb accommodation.

  • Enjoy 7 night all inclusive stay in all new beachfront bungalows. Single and twin share accommodation available.

  • Limited to just 12 guests, experience an intimate environment to hone your skills learning from the world’s best.

The Experience

  • The workshop will be led by highly accomplished underwater photographer Don Silcock.

  • The specially developed workshop curriculum caters for both aspiring and experienced underwater photographers and is designed to enable attendees to get the very best images from their existing equipment.

  • Enjoy a unique combination of hands-on instruction and practical tuition while diving superb sites and staying in a beautiful resort.

  • Prices, inclusive of return flights from Brisbane, all food and 12 dives from $6245 AUDpp.

Meet Don

  • Based from the island of Bali in Indonesia, Don is a multi award winning underwater photographer and photojournalist who has published over 150 articles.

  • With 30+ years experience photographing the best locations across the Indo-Pacific region, over the last 10 years Don has also traveled widely to photograph and document major "big animal” aggregations internationally.

  • Prior to becoming a full-time underwater photographer in 2019, Don held a senior role with a large US based corporation and led a team of specialists responsible for launching new technology.

  • Don is the Senior Travel Editor and regular contributor for Scuba Diver ANZ Magazine.

What will you learn?

  • Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.

  • Macro Photography: Core concepts, best primary lenses and super macro convertors, subject selection and creative lighting.

  • Wide Angle Photography: How to create these wonderful "big picture” underwater images.

  • Wide-Angle Macro (WAM): Learn how to use this specialised technique to create unique and eye-catching images.

  • Over/Under (Split Shots): Learn how to create stunning images that blend the underwater world with what is above water.

  • Digital Darkroom: Learn how to take your "good” in-camera images and transform them into "great” ones with Lightroom & Photoshop.

Agenda

07.00: BREAKFAST

08.00: CLASSROOM SESSION

09.30: MEET AT MAIN JETTY + LOAD

DIVE BOAT

10.00: DEPART FOR FIRST IN-WATER

SESSION AT SELECTED SITE

12.00: LUNCH AT UEPI

13.00: SECOND IN-WATER SESSION

15.00: ARRIVE BACK AT UEPI, WASH

EQUIPMENT, SHOWER + CHANGE

16.00: REVIEW SESSION

18.00: THE DIGITAL DARKROOM

19.30: DINNER

Your Daily Routine:

  • Post breakfast sessions will outline theory and discussion of objectives for the day ahead.

  • In water sites will be determined based upon subject matter and agreed objectives – 2 sessions per day.

  • Afternoon review sessions to critique the day’s images and evaluate against the agreed objectives.

  • The Digital Darkroom: turning good images into great images with techniques using Lightroom and Photoshop discussed in detail.

  • Individual coaching and problem solving tuition available as required.

  • Ongoing support: Each attendee will receive one free of charge, two hour online coaching session to review images and provide support post retreat.